Had some shooting pains while nursing a few minutes ago. :( Have been somewhat concerned about thrush but no "obvious" symptoms so far. I wonder if that means if it is thrush it is not "bad" yet? My nipples have been very sensitive and I have not been able to go without wearing shells for longer than a day or two since I started wearing them a couple months ago between feedings. The tip of the left nipple looks white and LO has a white film on the back part of her tongue sometimes, but I understood this could be from nursing?

I think I may need to see a doctor about it, but was wondering if I see the pediatrician about this or an OB/GYN? We just moved and I just had my pp appointment so I have no other need to see my OB right now until my next yearly, or do I need to go ahead and start seeing him (we lived here before) again for stuff like this that may come up between now and then?

I just had a thought. Are you airing out your nipples between feedings? Especially since you are wearing shells they might not be breathing which really could be causing yeast/thrush. Is her mouth white a long while after nursing? I would think you could see either your ped or your OB, whichever is easier to get into. Do you have acess to a LC? we have free ones at the hospitals 2 times a week....I don't know if you have anything like that but she could help figure out it thats what it is too.

Your ped could determine whether baby has thrush. For women a yeast infection in the glands can be determined by talking to an LC or your doctor. I talked to an LC to determine whether I had one and then I called my OB for the rx. Worked out that way. Now the thing is that you can have a yeast infection and baby may not. I have one, Coltin doesn't. A sign though that baby has thrush is if they are constantly pulling off and fussing because Thrush causes their mouth to be sore. For you though the best thing would be an LC or your OB. Then if you need to see the Ped.

Now the thing is that you can have a yeast infection and baby may not. I have one, Coltin doesn't. A sign though that baby has thrush is if they are constantly pulling off and fussing because Thrush causes their mouth to be sore.

She definitely is not doing this.

Are you airing out your nipples between feedings? Especially since you are wearing shells they might not be breathing which really could be causing yeast/thrush. Is her mouth white a long while after nursing? I would think you could see either your ped or your OB, whichever is easier to get into. Do you have acess to a LC?

Well... I read that with Raynaud's... you shouldn't let them air dry because it exacerbates that condition or the vasospasms when cool air hits them... :???:

I do usually let them air dry after rubbing some expressed bm on them just after feeding, then use my nipple butter and put the shell back on. Since she has reflux, I need to burp her over my shoulder, and I don't want her pressing on my nipple when I do that since they're so tender, so I like to get the shell back on before burping.

I do have access to an LC, but I just moved 2 hours away from where we were living when she was born so I can only talk to her by phone or e-mail, which may work for most things.

Those shooting pains only happened that one time while I was nursing yesterday, so maybe they're related to something else.

If they only happened once then it's more than likely something else. If it does happen consistently though you should stop expressing breastmilk and putting it on your nipples. Yeast thrives in breastmilk so you could exacerbate any irritation on your nipples. At least until you talk to an LC. I simply called mine and discussed it over the phone. I never had to drive to see her. I think most LC's will try and problem solve with you on the phone.

Thanks! :-D

I just had a thought. Are you airing out your nipples between feedings? Especially since you are wearing shells they might not be breathing which really could be causing yeast/thrush.

Forgot to say the shells have holes in them so air can still get to the nipples...

sounds like it to me.
You can always call LaLeche league for assistance.
There are non-rx remedies you may want to consider.
Genetian Violet (although messy- is a natural product and available at most pharmacies/health food stores.

Use probiotics (disolve your capsules) and put on your nipples/baby's mouth
Some ppl just use yogurt.

Others sometimes use canestan cream for topical (early symptoms) after feeding.

There are lifestyle things you can do: cut out sugar (sugar feeds yeast), keep nips dry, avoid synthetic fabric in bras (this is hard to do as most have some spandex or soemthing in them), replace pads frequently (keeping dry).

Laleche League and Kelly Mom have a plethora of info and resources.
hth. :)